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CNN SUNDAY MORNING
Interview With Daryll Coleman
Aired May 11, 2003 - 08:04 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: There are some thunderstorms over Tennessee this morning and they probably have a couple of people on edge. Tennessee, of course, has been the victim of some severe weather to say the least and landmarks like this historic church in Jackson are a stark reminder. It's the third time this church has been destroyed.
The Reverend Daryll Coleman joins us now by phone to talk about what's next for Mother Liberty Church.
Reverend Coleman, thank you very much for being with us. What does come next for your church?
REV. DARYLL COLEMAN, MOTHER LIBERTY GME CHURCH: We are in the process now of seeking to build from the ruins. We know that we can resurrect this church and make it even a bigger and better and stronger church than it's been before.
COOPER: This church has such an extraordinary history. Tell us a little bit about it; how far back not only does the original building go, but the congregation.
COLEMAN: Yes. This church is the mother church for the entire Christian, Methodist, Episcopal Church denomination. Back in 1817 we had ex-slaves who were living at the earliest act of self- determination for African-Americans in this country after the Emancipation. And that congregation it self was organized in 1848, and it has gone through three types of churches. The third time the church has had problems; it was destroyed twice by fire and now by storm. And we are just determined to build it back because of its tremendous historicity that it has not only for the African-American community of this country, but also for the city.
COOPER: Just remarkable. Now, you talked about the two times before it has been destroyed by fire. Each time it was rebuilt using the same bricks and you plan to do that again, don't you?
COLEMAN: Yes. Again, we are going to save as many of the bricks as possible and we are going to use them in some type of memorial seen something with the new church we're going to build. And also we are going to build in this time a museum that will begin to share some of the rich history that not only this church, but our denomination's had within this country.
COOPER: Do you have you had members of the congregation who come to you and say why does this happen? I mean, this is a house of worship. You know, it raises all sorts of questions of faith. What do you say to them?
COLEMAN: Well, most definitely. When Monday came and the sunlight came, over and over again people came to me crying saying Reverend why? Why could God do this? It is interesting, because today the title of my sermon is "When Your Faith Makes You Ask Why," and really seeking to sort out for them how God does act. And even in the midst of darkness God has plans that can bring us to even greater sunshine.
COOPER: Well it sounds like you have got some plans to rebuild and we wish you a lot of luck. Reverend Darryl Coleman, appreciate you joining us today.
COLEMAN: Thank you.
COOPER: Thank very much. Appreciate it.
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